McGregor withdraws after knee injury in UFC 329 comeback

Conor McGregor's first fight in more than five years ended abruptly at UFC 329 when he suffered a knee injury just 1 minute and 9 seconds into the opening round against Max Holloway. The Irish fighter attempted a flying left roundhouse kick at the start of the bout, landed awkwardly on his right knee and was unable to continue.

"My head gasket is gone. Destroyed," McGregor posted on social media, describing the injury as unexpected and severe.

UFC President Dana White said there were no visible signs of injury at the weigh-in and that doctors suspect a torn ACL. "Five years off in this sport is rough," White said. "We’re assuming a blown ACL. That’s what I assumed when I saw it, and that’s what the doctors think, too."

Holloway, who was a -300 favorite, said he repeatedly asked referee Mike Beltran to stop the fight after noticing McGregor's change in demeanor. "During the fight, you could see his demeanor change. When I saw him hurt, I said, ‘Call this, he’s hurt.’ I just hope for a speedy recovery," Holloway said.

The bout was part of a card that also featured Paddy Pimblett's first-round TKO of Benoit Saint-Denis and Mario Bautista's unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen. McGregor entered the arena to Biggie Smalls' "Hypnotize" and a sold-out crowd, but his comeback was cut short by the injury.